Henry Daily Herald

A Republican contender for Henry County’s District III Commission seat has dropped out of the race.

Laura Elizabeth Jeffares announced her withdrawal from the contest in a letter to the Henry Daily Herald, Monday.

“It is with sadness in my heart that I submit my resignation for candidacy for Henry County Commission District III,” she wrote. “This is due, in large part, to obligations that I currently have to my family and my career.”

Jeffares is a sister-in-law to State Sen. Rick Jeffares (R-District 17), and the second District III candidate to back out of the race in recent weeks.

Former McDonough City Councilwoman Sandra Vincent resigned from the council last month to seek the Democratic nomination for the commission seat. Vincent subsequently announced her ineligibility, as a federally paid employee, to run for the District III post.

However, Vincent is not officially out of the District III race, according to Henry County Elections and Registration Director, Janet Shellnutt.

“She is still on the ballot,” said Shellnutt. “She never submitted an affidavit of withdrawal.”

Jeffares, a human resources manager, was one of four Republicans who qualified to seek the District III seat, which is being vacated by Commissioner Randy Stamey at the end of his current term.

The remaining candidates for the Republican nomination are Gary W. Barham, a former public works director for the City of McDonough; Kenneth David Sherman, a semi-retired business owner; and William L. “Bill” Toney, Jr., owner of Jenco, a golf-cart manufacturing company.